Bismarck, North Dakota News

" As a graduate of Dickinson State University I would like to question the policy artificially keeping education costs high. The only conclusion that can be made is that DSU would like the State Board of Higher Ed to practice what can only be described as price fixing. The story says that the vice president of student affairs is upset that the University of North Dakota is charging too little for its online courses. So instead of lowering the price of online courses to match market trends, the solution is to force UND to raise their prices? Not only does that defy logic, but it defies the purpose of state subsidized education. The universities are not businesses. They are not revenue streams for the state, the board of regents, or the alumni association. They are a service provided by the taxpayers to educate the next generation, and are the only form of so-called "economic development" proven to work nearly every time it is tried. The role of everyone from the governor to the school administrators, all the way down to the janitors, must be to provide the best product at the cheapest cost possible. Universities are not funded by the taxpayers to allow for the maximum tuition possible, they are funded by the taxpayers to minimize the impact on the student's fiscal future caused by tuition and student loans. Until certain people in decision making capacities realize that students are customers and not just revenue producing drones, universities will not be fulfilling their roles. At that point the taxpayers and voters, who are really shareholders, will be forced to make changes that will clamp down on this sort of price gouging. "

" To chop chop and get rid of some. Since we are going to cut the smaller colleges don't forget BSC and United Tribes they need to go to. Oh wait we can't get rid of poor BSC because they just got a new 4 year course and Bismarck needs this college to keep the youngsters in town. Can't cut UTTC because that would be discrimination and who cares about them since the tribes pay for that college and your taxes don't go to them. GET REAL. Oh and what about Jamestown? While I don't understand why ND has so many colleges it sure was nice to be able to stay with my parents and take cheaper classes at Williston before going to the "gems" of ND to get my BS. More BS from the ignorant whiney people of Bismarck. "

" If we could buy our gas online from stations in Fargo for twenty cents less a gallon we'd do that also. "

" Mayville, Valley City, Bottineau, Williston, Dickinson, and Lake Region. They ALL need to go!! Unless you all want to keep paying high taxes. "

" UND is doing the right thing by offering classes that are cheaper rates. Big schools can do this, smaller schools can try and match that or they can go away. It would make it a lot cheaper to run the whole university system statewide by eliminating some of the ND universities. Right now it is very reasonable to attend a ND university but before costs get out of control and more money is spent on none necessary colleges they should eliminate some schools. First on the chopping block should be Mayville. "

" I worked at UND's largest online program for several years, and we would always hear complaints from distance students about why they pay the same as campus... Yes, there is no classroom, but you now have increased load in the datacenter, more servers, more air conditioning, backup power and network, all stuff that may or may not have been in place before. (and the support personnel to keep it all running) And distance students almost always require more instructor time on average then an on-campus student. "

" We need to also know why DSU is undermining the salary structures of thier fellow system members by offering more dollars (~$300-$400) per class for someone to come and teach online at DSU. While the same class is offered by fellow campus members. DSU is pulling faculty away from regular class loads (both during the regular semesters and summer sessions) by "incenting" faculty from sister institution to reduce thier load at their regular job and sign up to teach through DSU for the added money. How is that undercutting practice viewed as "playing fair". It leaves campuses short staffed on full-time faculty members, which requires adjuncts to be hired and leaves the "student experience" short changed. "

" On-line collage class prices are ridiculously expensive. Why should a student pay rates that are just as expensive as going to a live classroom? Isn’t the purpose of on-line classes for the convenience of both the student and the university? Since there is less overhead costs involved, ie. no need for classroom, heating, lights, live teachers on-hand, etc., shouldn’t the on-line classes be considerably cheaper than live classes? Way to go UND. "

" Are you kidding me DSU? DSU students on the Bismarck State College campus are charged more than on the DSU campus, so what are you going to do to change this? Why would anyone complain about students taking a class at a cheaper rate? College is expensive, students deserve any break in tuition they can get. "

" Imagine...giving an education at an affordable rate to those who want to better themselves. How dare they! It's time these institutes of higher education start looking out for the citizens of North Dakota rather than their own turf protection. You go UND! "